Lawrence stars as main character Katniss Everdeen, a hunter and archer who rebels against fictional nation Panem's corrupt government officials.
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LionsgateJennifer Lawrence, whose performance as Katniss Everdeen helped The Hunger Games gross $683.8 million worldwide this spring, is getting a major raise for the sequel.
The actress is in the final stages of negotiating a rich deal to return for Catching Fire that will pay her somewhere in the $10 million range, according to sources close to the deal. The figure is a combination of salary, bonuses and escalators. Depending on the box-office performance of the film, she could earn much more.
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The Hollywood Reporter reported in February that the Oscar-nominated actress was paid just $500,000 upfront for the first film, plus bonuses depending on box-office performance. Her original deal with studio Lionsgate locked her into four planned films based on the best-selling Suzanne Collins trilogy, but producers — recognizing the success of the franchise — moved to renegotiate her contract as the film became an international sensation. Such renegotiations are common on major film franchises. The Twilight stars, for instance, received significant salary bumps in subsequent movies.
Lawrence’s co-stars Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth also are said to have renegotiated their contracts, but each will receive far smaller raises, according to sources. Lawrence, whose gritty performance was central to the film, is seen as the marquee star.
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Production on the sequel is scheduled to begin in September in Georgia, according to sources. Director Francis Lawrence is replacing Gary Ross, who helmed the first film but chose not to return for Catching Fire. Lionsgate has set a release date of Nov. 22, 2013.
Lawrence, represented by CAA and attorney Steve Warren, declined comment via her publicist. Lionsgate also declined comment.
Email: Stephen.Galloway@thr.com, Matthew.Belloni@thr.com
